RAM Products
Early interest and beginnings
LED lights and the occasional sound system have become popular accessories on model aircraft. One of the oldest and largest suppliers of these items is RAM Products, owned by Ralph Warner.
Ralph was interested in aircraft from an early age, partly because his father worked in aircraft recovery during World War I. He began modeling aircraft using cardboard salvaged from shoe boxes to copy the penny gliders available at the corner candy store.
Living on the northwest side of Chicago, near Naval Air Station Glenview, afforded him opportunities to see naval aircraft in flight, which further spurred his interest. Ralph built every model airplane he could get his hands on from companies including Comet Models, Joe Ott, and Cleveland Models.
After World War II, the family moved near Leonard's Hobby Shop where Ralph spent much time and helped out in the store. "If my mother couldn't find me, she would call the store and tell me to come home," he recalled. He met many people who would have a lasting connection to the hobby, including Carl Goldberg and Wally Simmers, and spoke fondly of the interesting conversations and insight they provided.
Ralph joined the Model Nuts Free Flight club. He won a number of local contests and qualified to attend the Detroit Plymouth Internationals three consecutive years, competing in CL and FF events. He met Roscoe Turner, a famed air racing pilot, who presented Ralph with an award.
Ralph started working part time for his friend and club member Joe Stanton, who bought the hobby shop from George Leonard in 1954. Together they began a company to manufacture a wooden airboat kit, the RaBoat, which was sold through the hobby shop and Ace Radio.
As RC flying became more prevalent, Ralph built and flew his first RC model in 1956, a modified Esquire with a Galin radio and Babcock escapement. Radios were regional in the early days; Ralph said, "If one worked, everyone in the club got one. The gold radios were popular in Chicago."
Like many who began modeling at an early age, Ralph pulled away from the hobby to attend college, but he still managed to construct occasional CL models. After graduating, he taught science and history, then became a school principal, a position he held for 22 years until he retired in 1991.
Launching RAM Products
Still interested in the hobby and wishing to develop a business for his retirement, Ralph decided to manufacture the RaBoat again. An industry friend from Lindberg Models suggested vacuum-formed plastic for easy assembly, and the Quickee 18 was born. He molded the models using his friend Orv Broberg's machines at DuBro; the parts were trimmed and packaged in Ralph's basement.
Encouraged by the product, Ralph reserved a booth at the 1977 Toledo Show under the name Radio Controlled Models. The boats proved popular — Don Anderson of Hobbico bought a couple of cases, as did others. Ralph began advertising in modeling magazines and Radio Controlled Models became RAM Products. Encouraged by sales, two other boats were produced as well as vacuum-formed radio boxes to house the radio gear.
Looking to expand, Ralph purchased the prototype carvings for pilot figures from Lindberg Models and used them to develop five pilot figures. The O Bee 30 boat was an electric conversion that allowed an Astro 25 motor to be mated with a K&B outboard bottom end. In need of a reversible ESC for the boats, Ralph began working with an electronic engineer who produced two designs.
Electronics, lighting, and sound
The engineer presented an idea: why not sell lighting systems for RC aircraft, cars, and boats? A few systems were produced and taken to the 1979 Toledo Show to test interest. They proved extremely popular and five lighting systems were made available. This was the beginning of the electronic line that would eventually offer nearly 200 products for RC and model railroads.
In 1984, Roland Bouche from Astroflight marketed an electric conversion of the popular Jerobee .049 glow-powered race car, and other manufacturers were releasing electric-powered vehicles. Ralph seized the opportunity to design sound systems for them. He and his engineer designed three systems to make the cars sound like their full-scale counterparts, and a modified system was also conceived for trains. A division of RAM, called RAMtrack, was born.
Ralph purchased a 5,000-square-foot complex for RAM Products in northern Illinois to continue developing and producing products. Throughout its 38 years in business, RAM has produced more than 250,000 products.
Industry leadership and legacy
Ralph is proud to be a founding member of the Radio Control Hobby Trade Association (RCHTA) in 1985. He served on its board for 12 years, was show chairman for two years, and president for six years.
Ralph still actively participates in the hobby and enjoys flying model airplanes, helicopters, and quadcopters. He no longer competes, but regularly attends trade shows and flying events. He is the proud father of 15 children and two stepchildren, and grandfather to 26 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He remains sharp and has a great sense of humor; if you speak to him for more than a few minutes, you'll likely hear a hearty laugh as he shares stories and insights from a lifetime dedicated to the hobby.
When asked what he is most proud of with RAM, he replied, "The fact that we have introduced so many new categories and I am still here," followed by a laugh. He also enjoys seeing people successfully using RAM products and hearing the positive feedback.
If you're in the market for a sound or lighting system, give RAM Products a call and speak to Ralph. Not only is he knowledgeable about his products, you might even get to hear a story or two from the past!
— Jay Smith [email protected]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
